The role of European R&D projects for SMEs’ resource development: an IMP perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a contribution on the role of European R&D projects (ERDPs) on small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) resource development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative methodology based on a longitudinal case study. The case analysis con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	IMP journal Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 346 - 367
Main Authors:	Ciarmatori, Fabrizio, Bocconcelli, Roberta, Pagano, Alessandro
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Bingley Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01-01-2018
Subjects:	Case studies Consortia Innovations Knowledge Manufacturing Participation R&D Research & development Research & development expenditures Research centers Small & medium sized enterprises-SME Small business Startups
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a contribution on the role of European R&D projects (ERDPs) on small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) resource development.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative methodology based on a longitudinal case study. The case analysis concerns Gamma, a small high-tech firm based in Italy, active in nanotechnologies since 2005 as a research spin-off and since its establishment active in ERDPs. The analysis is developed along three main phases of development where the company participated to different ERDPs.FindingsThe empirical analysis highlights that since its establishment, Gamma has been able to increasingly exploit participation in ERDPs, in order to gain access to financial and technological resources. Such active and continuous participation fostered the development of both advanced technological and organizational resources, which then allowed the company to survive and play a growing role as a well-known technology partner in the nanotechnology field in Italy and Europe.Originality/valueAdopting an IMP perspective, the paper provides a contribution on the managerial dimension of SMEs’ participation in ERDPs – which represents a neglected topic in the existing literature – on two distinct grounds: resource development process and networking processes. With respect to resource development processes in ERDPs, this case study underscores the relevance of ERDPs for developing both technological and organizational resources, highlighting the relevance of project management-related knowledge. In terms of networking processes, this paper highlights the need to fully understand the interplay of ERDP networks and business networks.
ISSN:	2059-1403 0809-7259 2059-1403
DOI:	10.1108/IMP-05-2017-0025